Men's Volleyball Beats Mount Union, 3-0, on Senior Recognition Day

SPRINGFIELD, OH – Looking to even the all-time series against Mount Union, Wittenberg Men's Volleyball came out strong and pulled out a big Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL) win in three-straight sets on Senior Recognition Day, Friday, March 27, at Pam Evans Smith Arena, part of the Health, Wellness & Athletics Complex. 

It was the sixth win in a row for the Tigers, who improved to 16-5 overall and 5-1 in the conference. The Tigers evened the all-time series against Mount Union at 6-6. It was the fifth-straight loss for the Purple Raiders, picked to repeat as MCVL champs in the preseason coaches' poll, as Mount Union dropped to 9-16 overall and 2-4 in the conference.

Mount Union has had double-digit wins in the last six seasons and has made the MCVL tournament for five straight. Coming into the match, Wittenberg, Calvin, Trine, and Wabash were all sitting atop the league with just one loss, while Baldwin Wallace had two.

Against Mount Union, Wittenberg outhit the Raiders .277 to .094 and won by set scores of 25-18, 25-15, and 25-23. 

Senior Eli Halverson (Hamilton, OH / Badin) found some floor more than a few times, leading the team in kills with 10 on 19 total attacks for a .389 hitting percentage. He also tallied two service aces, nine digs, and a block for 13 points. Senior Michael Yurk (Indianapolis, IN / Bishop Chatard) posted seven kills and seven points, while fellow senior Reese Monnin (Xenia, OH / Carroll) also landed seven kills for nine points. Patterson Reed (Louisville, KY / St. Xavier) led the team in blocks with two.

Carson Hill (Liberty Township, OH / Lakota East) led the team in assists with 16, and Gavin Hagerty (Fishers, IN / Fishers) added eight assists, a team-high three service aces, and eight digs.

Team Comparison

• Wittenberg had 36 kills on 83 total attacks for a .277 hitting percentage, along with 33 assists, six service aces, 39 digs, and seven blocks.
• Mount Union had 24 kills on 85 total attacks for a .094 hitting percentage, along with 24 assists, three service aces, 33 digs, and six blocks.

Wittenberg celebrated its seniors on this day. Seniors include Halverson, Yurk, Monnin, Jake Downs (Cincinnati, OH / Milford), Trajan Kress (Cincinnati, OH / Sycamore), Greg Efaw (Hilliard, OH / Davidson), and grad student Jake Schawo-McAlister (Affton, MO / Affton).

Setter Schawo-McAlister, pursuing a master's in sport administration, hopes to coach volleyball at the collegiate level upon graduation. 

"I am so happy that I chose to finish my career with this group of guys, and I'm so grateful for all I learned and experienced in my short time at Witt," he said.

An outside hitter, Halverson, pursuing a bachelor's in sport management with double minors in data science and communication, plans to pursue a career in athletic communications and a promotion in his current role with Pro Football Focus.

"The human beings in this program are so special," he said.  "All the memories and connections I've made will last a lifetime. I am forever grateful for Witt MVB."

Another outside hitter, Yurk, who is pursuing a degree in business and sport management with a minor in political science, plans to have a career in the business sector.

"Thank you, Witt MVB, for everything," he said. "All the wins, laughs, and memories we've made have made every day feel special, and I couldn't have asked for a better team to be around. It goes by fast so make sure to take time and enjoy it all."

A middle hitter, Monnin, pursuing a degree in marketing, plans to work in the Dayton area upon graduation.

"Witt MVB has helped me better understand myself and how I can impact others," he said.  "While my time here was short, I treasure the coaches and teammates who have pushed me to become better every day." 

Downs, a libero, is a double major in finance and economics. He plans to obtain his CFP license and work at a wealth management firm after graduation. 

 "I just want to thank everybody, from past coaches and teammates to current coaches and teammates, for all the great memories and experiences that come from being a part of this program," he said. "If I knew then what I know now, I would 100% do it all over again, the exact same way." 

Efaw, also a middle hitter, is an accounting major who plans to participate in a few different accounting internships to find his ideal career path. 

"This team has been my second family since the day I got on campus; I am forever grateful for the memories and friendships I will leave Witt with," he said. 

Kress, an outside hitter, also pursuing a degree in sport management, is also looking to coach volleyball at the collegiate level. 

The team also said goodbye to student manager Dominic Smith, an English and education major who is planning to be an English teacher and coach volleyball and soccer in the future.

"Thank you to everyone who has sacrificed for the program, whether it be parents, coaches or players," he said.  "And to the team; I cannot imagine a greater group of guys than you all!"

Up Next

Wittenberg will host another key MCVL match on Saturday, March 28 when it takes on Baldwin Wallace at 1 p.m. at Pam Evans Smith Arena.

Written by: Cindy Holbrook